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always for the community VOL 25 NO 1
January 2020
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SPOTLIGHT
Happy New Year
from the Valley Sentinel! Bob Ladouceur, 2019 Pete Villa Award winner Colin Moroney, Pete Villa.
Colin Moroney from San Ramon Valley High School Wins the 2019 Pete Villa Award The Rotary Club of Danville held its 23rd annual Pete Villa awards luncheon on Monday, December 9th. The winner of this prestigious award was Colin Moroney
ECRWSS
Postmaster: Dated Material
PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID DANVILLE, CA PERMIT NO. 70
See AWARD page 4
Sentinel Newspapers, Inc. P.O. Box 130 Danville, CA 94526 925-820-6047
2020 brings with it the start of a new decade and the opportunity to become involved in the good works that are performed every day in the valley. Volunteers make this community the best place to live, work and play. Wishing for peace and prosperity in the lives of all of our readers, and for the community at large.
Beauty in Nature–The Ring-necked Pheasant By James M. Hale
The Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicum), or Common Pheasant, is a nonnative, gallinaceous, game bird that was first introduced in North America in 1773, and throughout California in the 1880’s. The genus Phasianus is Latin for pheasant. The specific epithet, colchicus, is Latin for “of Colchis”, modern day Georgia, a country on the Black Sea where pheasants became known to Europeans. Ringnecked Pheasants are native to Asia and the foothills of Caucasus and the Balkans. The species was first scientifically described by Linnaeus in his Systema naturae in 1758. About thirty subspecies are recognized. They are the most ancient, most widespread, and most hunted game birds in the world. They are bred commercially on game farms for worldwide introduction. The Ring-necked Pheasant is the state bird of South Dakota, one
of only three state birds that is not native to the United States. The Green Pheasant (Phasianus versicolor) of Japan is considered a subspecies of the Common Pheasant by some experts. Although the two pheasant species have different ecological requirements, the Green Pheasant will outcompete the Common Pheasant, at least in its typical habitat. Pheasants are indicators of ecosystem health in the grassland and agricultural landscapes. They were once fairly common in the grasslands, agricultural areas, and marshes of eastern Contra Costa County. I have seen them in the grasslands of Diablo and San Ramon Valleys, and once flushed one from Las Trampas Creek in downtown Walnut Creek. Their numbers have recently declined dramatically. T h e R i n g - n e c ke d o r
Common Pheasant has many color forms, ranging from polychromatic, to nearly white, and almost black. Hybridization and genetic mutations have led to a wide variety of colored races. The nominate subspecies, or wild form of the Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus colchicus), is up to thirty-six inches in length, with a brown, streaked black tail accounting for up to twenty inches of the total length. The body plumage is bright gold or chestnut brown with barring or streaking, and an Iridescent green or purple sheen. Wings are mottled brown or cream with white. A distinctive red wattle and small crest accent the iridescent, bright blue-green head of males. Two ear tufts enhance auditory reception. A diagnostic white neck band in the males give the Ring-necked Pheasant its name.
This Month’s Special Section
New Year, New You! pages 8-9
Female birds have brown heads and lack the neck band. Ring-necked Pheasants are gregarious birds that form loose knit flocks outside the breeding season. Non-breeding birds roost in protective tree cover at night. Male pheasants have a harem of several females. They are ground-nesting birds that lay their eggs in a grass or leaf-lined scrape, usually under dense cover. A clutch of eight to eighteen pale olive See PHEASANT page 5
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT dining out • music • art • theater • fun events
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THE VALLEY SENTINEL
St. Francis Presents: Frozen Jr. January 9 -11 St. Mary’s Presents: Frozen Jr. January 11- 12 Christ the King Presents: Frozen Jr. January 13-15 All shows are $20 and are performed at Village Theater & Art Gallery, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www. villagetheatreshows.com or or 925-314-3400.
The Great Wave : Contemporary Art About the Ocean January 12 – March 22 Opening Reception: Sunday, January 12, 3 – 5pm.
Organized by longtime Bay Area curator Ann Trinca, this exhibition finds inspiration in Japanese ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai’s ubiquitous woodblock print The Great Wave off Kanagawa. Over the last 180 years, this seminal artwork has become recognizable across cultures as a symbol of the unpredictable power of the ocean. In a new era of climate awareness, this historic print takes on wider meaning as a symbol for our environmental crisis. Using The Great Wave as a jumping off point, the artists in this exhibition explore the ocean as a source of mystery and strength. Through their unique lens, these artists create new ways to consider the difficult topic of climate change. Pa r t i c i p a t i n g A r t i s t s include; Brandon Anderton, Tess Felix, Peter Hassen, Liz Hickok, Hughen/ Starkweather, Luc Janssens, Josh Keyes, Richard and Judith Lang, Courtney Mattison, Allison Watkins and Angela Willetts. Bedford Gallery, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Information: www. bedfordgallery.org or 925295-1417.
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January 2020
The Village Theatre Art Gallery Presents: Art of the African Diaspora January 16 - February 29 The Town of Danville’s Village Theatre Art Gallery is pleased to partner with the Richmond Art Center (RAC) as a satellite exhibition space for the RAC’s 24th Annual Art of the African Diaspora Exhibition (formerly titled the Art of Living Black). The exhibition will feature the talents of Bay Area artists who are of African descent. There is a soft opening set for Thursday, January 16, 2020. During the opening, a screening of filmmaker Cheryl Fabio’s award-winning documentary Evolutionary Blues will be held, followed by a Q & A. Evolutionary Blues is a documentary about West Oakland’s music legacy. A C l o s i n g Re c e p t i o n is scheduled for Thursday, February 27 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served, and attendees can enjoy live jazz provided by local musician David Goodlett while checking out the outstanding art on display. FREE. Village Theater & Art Gallery, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www. villagetheatreshows.com or or 925-314-3400.
ADMISSION OPEN HOUSES FOR FALL 2020 ENROLLMENT
Grades 6-8 January 11 1:00 pm Grades 9-12 January 12 1:00 pm To register for an Open House, please visit our Admission webpage and choose “Apply Now”
The World Premiere of a Brand-New Synergy Theater Show! Spontaneous Agatha Christie: An Improvised Miss Marple Murder Mystery January 16 – 26, Thursdays – Saturdays at 8:15 pm, Sundays at 3:15 pm. The audience chooses the victim and suggests the clues, leaving Miss Marple to discover whodunit in this completely improvised comedy-homage to the world’s best-selling author of all time, Dame Agatha Christie. Inspired by audience
valleysentinel.com suggestions and made up on the spot, Spontaneous Agatha Christie is a loving tribute to the undisputed Queen of Crime. $25.00. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: www.lesherartscenter.org or 925-943-SHOW (7469).
Bay Area Childrens Theater presents Frozen Jr. January 17 - 20 Frozen Jr. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen JR. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, Frozen JR. is sure to thaw even the coldest heart! $12. Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Rd. (Cross Street Bollinger Canyon Rd.) Located on the Dougherty Valley High School Campus. San Ramon. Information: www. sanramonperformingarts.com or 925-973-3343. Kick Off 2020 with Larry ‘Bubbles’ Brown! January 17 7:30pm. After an unfortunate cancellation in 2019 due to illness, comedian Larry Brown is back at the Village Theatre to help bring in the first laughs of the N e w Y e a r as part of the outstanding “Comedy with Liz Grant and Friends.” Larry Brown, a San Francisco based comedian, is best known for his selfdeprecating style of comedy. Brown has appeared on over 25 tv shows. Also featured at this month’s show is Bay Area comedian Chad Optiz. Tickets $20 presale/$25 at
the door. Village Theater & Art Gallery, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www. villagetheatreshows.com or or 925-314-3400.
Dixieland Jazz January 18 1:30-4:30Pm. On The 3Rd Saturday Of Every Month You Can Enjoy The Music Of The Devil Mountain Jazz Band. Bring Your Own Beverages, Snacks And A Friend Or Two! There Is A Large Dance Floor And Lots Of Free Parking. $15. Grange Hall, 743 Diablo Road, Danville. Information Visit Www.jazznut.com Or Phone 625-2707.
Center Rep Presents: The Devil’s Music – The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith January 24th -February 22 Tr a n s p o r t y o u r s e l f Memphis, 1937 for an electrifying evening with Bessie Smith, as she recounts the incredible journey of her life and career, her loves and losses, and the songs that made her the show-stopping “Empress of the Blues.” Joined on stage by an extraordinary 4-piece band, this musical celebration is packed with Bessie’s legendary hits, “I Ain’t Got Nobody,” “St. Louis Blues” and “T’ain’t Nobody’s Bizness If I Do.” $35-$85. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: www. lesherartscenter.org or 925943-SHOW (7469). First Look Program – Center REPertory Company is proud to offer its “First Look” program thanking US Military personnel and US Veterans and active College students with $20 tickets to any preview or opening night performance of a Center REP show. All two year and four year College students, faculty, and staff with a school ID or any active military or veterans with appropriate ID can purchase a pair of $20 tickets to any Center REP preview or opening night
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT dining out • music • art • theater • fun events
valleysentinel.com performance. Present ID at the Ticket office window to receive discount. Preview and opening night performances are the first five listed performances. The offer is subject to availability and is limited to two tickets.
2020 Foreign Film Series presents: The Intouchables January 24 7pm. A Parisian aristocrat, who has been a quadriplegic since a paragliding accident, hires a young ex-con to be his live-in caretaker. Although very different, the two men bond and develop a close relationship. Based on a true story, this irreverent, uplifting c o m e d y / d ra m a i s a b o u t friendship, trust and human possibilities. French/English subtitles. $10. Front Row Theater, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon. Information: sanramonperformingarts.com or 925- 973-2787.
January 2020
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
High School Campus. San Ramon. Information: www. sanramonperformingarts.com or 925-973-3343.
Bedtime Theater Presents: Emily Butterfly January 31 6:30pm. Join Emily Butterfly, an interstellar storyteller, who delights children with her magical form of puppetry, story and song. Bring your little ones to a special show planned just for them! Attendees can wear their pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed animal. Milk & Cookies will be served after the show. Shows are geared for children ages 2 through 7. Tickets: $8 per person ages 2+. Dougherty Station Community Center, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon. Information: www. sanramonperformingarts.com or 925-973-3350
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lives. French/English subtitles. $10. Front Row Theater, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon. Information: sanramonperformingarts.com or 925- 973-2787.
Suburban Thunder Improv Co: We Love You! February 1 8pm. Join Suburban Thunder Improv Company for spontaneous improvisational theater! We will create a oneof-a-kind show on the spot just for you! This special Valentine’s themed show will be an evening of love! Let us give you some fresh ideas for your stale love life. Join us for an evening of live laughs all made up on the spot from your suggestions. Suitable for ages 14+. $10. Front Row Theater, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon. Information: sanramonperformingarts.com or 925- 973-2787. P re s c h o o l Pe r f o r m a n c e Series: The Brian Waite Band February 7 10am. The Brian Waite B a n d a r e Ro c k ‘ n Ro l l Adventurers. Their mission is to sow the seeds of topquality music and storytelling; produce innovative, unique
and imaginative shows; and awaken kids to the joy of live entertainment. $5. Village Theater & Art Gallery, 233 Front St., Danville. Information: www.villagetheatreshows.com or or 925-314-3400.
2020 Foreign Film Series presents: Faces Places February 7 7pm. A documentary from French director Agnes Varda and photographer JR. Together they create an intimate picture that immortalizes the French countryside and the people who work there. This film invites you along on a charming and personal journey to explore art and its relationship to people’s
Lady K and the Kings of Swing present: What’s Jazz? February 8 8 p m . H ave yo u eve r wondered how jazz music came to be? What exactly is jazz music anyway? Come join Lady K & the Kings of Swing for a fun evening ex p l o r i n g t h e o r i g i n s o f jazz, blues, improvisation and big band swing music. We’ll explore the different styles, eras, and history of how Jazz music came to be. This will be a fun and interactive performance that will appeal to all ages and hopefully, will inspire future jazz musicians and anyone to take up a musical instrument. A n e w, f a m i l y f r i e n d l y event! Front Row Theater, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon. Information: sanramonperformingarts.com or 925-973-2787.
Artists Sought for Hearts on Hartz
Submissions being taken for newest public art exhibition
Leann Rimes January 25 8pm. At age 14, LeAnn Rimes won “Best New Artist” making her the youngest ever recipient of a Grammy® Award. She has gone on to be an international multiplatinum selling acclaimed singer and ASCAP awardwinning songwriter. Rimes has sold more than 44 million units globally, won 2 Grammy® Awards; 12 Billboard Music Awa rd s ; 2 Wo r l d M u s i c Aw a r d s ; 3 Ac a d e m y o f Country Music Awards; one Country Music Association Award and one Dove Award. $75 - $99. Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Rd. (Cross Street Bollinger Canyon Rd.) Located on the Dougherty Valley
2020 Foreign Film Series presents: Tangerines January 31 7pm. As the war in between Georgia and Abkhazian is drawing near, two Estonian farmers decide to remain in Georgia instead of evacuating in order to harvest a tangerine crop for the much needed money. W h e n t h e wa r c o m e s t o his doorstep, Ivo takes in two wounded soldiers from opposite sides of the conflict. The soldiers vow to kill each other when they recover. Will they carry out their threat? $10. Front Row Theater, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon. Information: sanramonperformingarts.com or 925-973-2787.
The Town of Danville is seeking 15 experienced artists who wish to bring their unique designs and artistic talents to a 52 x 52 x 10-inch fiberglass heart sculpture as part of the Town’s next public art exhibition, Hearts on Hartz. Following the success of this summer’s Dogs of Danville: Unleashed exhibition, and using the funds raised through auctioning off the ceramic dogs, the Town is embarking on another exhibition featuring the work of local artists. The 15 heart sculptures will be on display at two Town owned buildings and all along the Heart of Danville’s downtown, Hartz Avenue, for the duration of the summer of 2020. For detailed information on how to apply visit https:// townofdanville.submittable. com/submit. For this exhibit, the Town is seeking colorful, creative and unique submissions for these sculptures. 14 of the hearts will be the artists’ own designs, while the 15th will need to incorporate Danvillecentric themes such as: historic
sites and buildings, smalltown/charming, recreation/ outdoors, foodie-destination/ restaurants, family-friendly activities, and arts-focused. The Town will accept up to three entries per artist. Two original design concepts or three if one is Danville themed (not mandatory). Deadline for artist submissions is January 24, 2020. Artists will be selected by a panel comprised of Danville’s Arts Advisory Board and the Curatorial Committee for the Village Theatre and Art Gallery. Selected artists will receive a $750. stipend for their time and materials upon completion of the heart sculpture. A clear coat of graffiti varnish will be supplied to the Artist by the Town to ensure their design is protected. Hearts on Hartz will be on view from June 4 – September 17, 2020, with an Opening Reception at the Village Theatre Art Gallery on Thursday, June 4, 2020 from 6-8 p.m. The heart sculptures will be on display on the patio before they are distributed and installed at their
summer sidewalk locations on Hartz Avenue. At the end of the exhibition 14 of the heart sculptures will be sold in a silent auction during the Closing Reception for the Artists and Sponsors at the Village Theatre & Art Gallery. One heart sculpture will be retained by the Town for future use and enjoyment by the Town’s residents and visitors. The Closing Reception is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Complimentary refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Visual Arts Coordinator Marija Nelson Bleier at 925) 314-3460 or mnelsonbleier@ danville.ca.gov.
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THE VALLEY SENTINEL
January 2020 valleysentinel.com
County Library has a New Website and Catalog
Alamo News Update
The Contra Costa County Library has a brand new website and catalog. The platform offers an updated look and feel and is mobile responsive allowing for an improved user experience whether on a computer, tablet or phone. Some of the new features include: • modern design • simple navigation • new events layout • improved search capabilities • ability to create reading lists, rate books and find reading recommendations from others A redesign of the website and catalog upgrade is overdue and comes in response to requests from patrons and the need to modernize the platform. The previous version of the website was created more than 20 years ago.
By Steve Mick
AWARD from page 1
from San Ramon Valley High School. The award, named after Pete Villa, founder of the Thunderbirds’ youth football program, each year recognizes the most outstanding high school football players in the San Ramon Valley. Three student-athletes from each of the four San Ramon Valley Unified School District’s high schools are nominated by the school’s principal and the head football coach. This year’s nominees we re : Au s t i n A n d e rs o n ,
“Our new website is more intuitive and patrons can find library materials and resources more easily,” said County Librarian Melinda Cervantes. “The modern look and feel of the platform is going to encourage library users to explore and learn about everything the library has to offer.” One of the goals in the Library’s 2019 Strategic Plan calls for the library to champion personal and community engagement in literacy and reading and to enrich lives. Launching a new website is a key strategy to help meet that goal. For questions about the new website and catalog, please call (800) 984-4636 or email ask@ ccclib.org. For media inquiries, please contact Public Information Officer Brooke Converse at bconvers@ccclib.org or (925) 608-7713.
Hasani Savage, and Dan Desoto from California High School; Jack Varni, Tristan Keyser, and Diego BarraganRel from Dougherty Valley High School, Connor Shay, Jack Stewardson, and Nate Rutchena from Monte Vista High School, and Cole Mortensen, Noah Thomas, and Colin Moroney from San Ramon Valley High School. First runner-up was Nate Rutchena from Monte Vista High School and second runner-up was California High School’s Austin Anderson.
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An Alamo Tradition Continues
For several years Alamo people have gathered at the tree in Andrew H. Young Park to participate in the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. There have been a number of organizations that have sponsored and organized this event over the years. However, this year saw the first offering by the Alamo Rotary Club. As expected, the event was spectacular and well-organized. As always, one of the most popular segments of the festival was renditions by school music groups. These included numbers by the Alamo School Music Group, the Athenian School A Capella Choir, the Monte Vista Choir, the Stone Valley Jazz Band and the San Ramon Valley High School Chamber Singers. Free popcorn, hot chocolate and coffee were
ava i l a b l e t o eve r yo n e. There was also an excellent selection of pastries. Children enjoyed playing many games including the ever-popular Cornhole bean bag toss. County Supervisor Candace Andersen welcomed everyone to the festivities and officiated at the countdown for the tree lighting. Each year the tree seems to be bigger and have more lights. It was wonderful. The highlight of the evening was the appearance of Santa Claus who rode u p i n a C l a s s i c Fo r d Thunderbird convertible. Santa stationed himself in Santa’s chair so that he could hear everyone’s Christmas wishes and be photographed with youngsters and oldsters alike! S a n t a e n c o u n t e re d a bit of excitement earlier at his staging area near the CVS Pharmacy. You may remember that there was quite a bit of rain in the days before the festival and there was a bountiful harvest of
Applications For Grand Jury Service Sought 2020, with the members of
The Contra Costa County Superior Court is accepting applications for Civil Grand Jury Service for the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 term. The Civil Grand Jury is made up of 19 members who serve for one year, July through June, to monitor, review and report on city and county governments, special districts and school districts. E ve r y e f f o r t i s m a d e to ensure that the Grand Jury reflects the makeup of the residents of the county. Approximately 75 applicants will be selected to be interviewed by the Grand Jury Selection Committee, which is composed of Superior Court Judges. After interviews, the judges will nominate approximately 30 applicants to constitute a grand jury pool from which the final panel of 19 will be selected by random drawing. The drawing is scheduled to be held on Friday, June 12,
the 2020-2021 Grand Jury officially being sworn in on the same day. Individuals selected for service will be expected to be available from June 22 to July 2 to attend an orientation where they will meet with department h e a d s, b e c o m e f a m i l i a r with their colleagues, learn about juror responsibilities and procedures, and select committees on which they will serve. Grand jurors must be a United States citizen, 18 years of age or older, who have been a resident of Contra Costa County for at least one year prior to selection. They cannot currently hold any elected position within the county. Applicants should have reliable transportation to Martinez, and must be prepared to devote at least 30 hours per week to Civil Grand Jury service. Applicants should have access to a
millions of tree leaves. This was a recipe for excitement. The leaves clogged the main drainage pipes and water backed up into the parking lot. There was over a foot of standing water, and this created a ready-made “water feature.” Several daredevil boys bicycled through the water and kicked up an i m p re s s i ve wa ke b e f o re slowing to a soggy crawl. T h e S a n Ra m o n f i re district responded to this situation and, with a fair amount of trouble, cleared the drainage. This allowed the water to run off and made for a safer parking lot. Congratulations and thanks to all participants who helped kick off the holiday season in Alamo. Steve Mick is a long-time Alamo resident and is active in a number of community organizations. Among them are the Community Foundation of Alamo, the Exchange Club and the Alamo Municipal Advisory Council. You can reach Steve at steve@ alamore.org
computer, be familiar with Microsoft Word, and be able to send and receive email. Citizens who work should apply only if they can be released from their jobs to perform the jury duties. Applicants selected as one of the 30 nominees will be fingerprinted before the drawing. Jurors receive a stipend for attending full jury and committee meetings and are reimbursed 57.5 cents per mile for allowable jury travel. Pa r k i n g p e r m i t s m ay b e provided to park in the City of Martinez while performing Grand Jury duties. Persons interested in applying may contact the Office of the Civil Grand Jury at (925) 608-2621, or visit the website at www.cc-courts. org/grandjury to receive additional information regarding service on the Civil Grand Jury and to obtain an application. Application Deadline Is Friday, March 13, 2020.
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January 2020
New “Ask City Hall” Initiative Aims to Answer San Ramon Residents’ Questions about City Processes impact future planning in Have you ever wondered what happens to your recycling after it’s collected, how cities plan for housing, or what city services you can use for free? The City of San Ramon has launched a new informational initiative called Ask City Hall, giving residents the opportunity to ask questions about how specific City processes work, and explore more in-depth information at sanramon. ca.gov/askcityhall Residents can already find answers to task-oriented questions (“How do I reserve a picnic table?” or “How do I renew my passport?”) at http://www.sanramon. ca.gov/how_do_i_. Ask City Hall is designed to identify and explain laws, broader questions, and processes
that impact the community on an ongoing basis, many of which factor in to the City Council’s priorities and planning. “We want Ask City Hall to be a reliable resource for residents who want to better understand topics of importance to the community,” said San Ramon Mayor Bill Clarkson. The Ask City Hall initiative will use videos, articles, and audio content to dive into questions often asked by residents of San Ramon. The first installment in the series takes a look at how cities in California plan for new housing. The first video provides an introduction to how State requirements like the Regional Housing Need Assessment (RHNA)
San Ramon, in about one minute. Based on frequent questions from residents, other upcoming topics include street paving, traffic lights, and open space. “The City Council places a high priority on communication to our residents,” said San Ramon City Manager Joe Gorton. “Ask City Hall was created to inform and educate our residents about issues important to them.” Re s i d e n t s c a n l e a r n more at sanramon.ca.gov/ askcityhall, and can submit a question by emailing communications@sanramon. ca.gov, calling 925.973.2500, or mailing a question to Ask City Hall, City Manager’s Office, 7000 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon CA 94583.
Exchange student host families sought PEACE (Pro-American Educational and Cultural Exchange) Inc., a non-profit organization pairing foreign high school students with volunteer local families is currently looking for volunteer host families in the local area. PEACE, Inc.is the leading non-profit sponsor of J-1 exchange students and has been developing rewarding relationships between
international students and their families, schools, and communities since 1988. PEACE, Inc. places students from many countries for semester-long and year-long academic programs. Students who participate in the PEACE program have their own spending money and are fully insured. They attend local high schools in order to learn more about
the American culture, make friends, participate in sports and student activities, volunteer in the community, and most of all, become a lasting member of your family and community. Anyone interested in hosting or for more information, please call the PEACE office at 800-377-2232 or visit www.peace-inc.org. for more information.
Avoid these common student financial aid mistakes while others have limited rate and principal reductions Many students spend more for college than they should by making some c o m m o n m i s t a ke s w h e n seeking financial aid. Follow these tips from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority to make sure you get the help you need. Some people don’t bother to apply for financial aid because they don’t think they’ll qualify. But they should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out if they’re eligible for state and federal student aid programs. Not filing may hurt their chances of getting more free money for college. Another common mistake is waiting until the last minute to apply for financial aid. Some programs have deadlines,
funds. Colleges send each student who has applied for student aid a financial aid package. Students and their families should look it over carefully. They should compare offers if they have received packages from more than one school to see which is the best deal. Of course, students should also consider other factors, such as whether a school offers the academic program a student wants or if it meets other expectations. Students who need loans to help pay for college must be good consumers. Not all lenders offer the same rates and benefits. Borrowers should pay close attention to what lenders call the backend benefits: the interest
offered when repaying the loan. KHEAA is a public, nonprofit agency established in 1966 to improve students’ access to college. It provides information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to students and parents. KHEAA also helps colleges manage their student loan default rates and verify information submitted on the FAFSA. For more information about those services, visit www.kheaa.com. In addition, KHEAA disburses private Advantage Education Loans for its sister agency, KHESLC. For more information about Advantage Education Loans, visit www. advantageeducationloan.com.
be kind to the environment please recycle this newspaper
THE VALLEY SENTINEL PHEASANT from page 1
eggs are laid in a two to three week period in April through June. The eggs are incubated for twenty-two to twentyseven days, and the chicks leave the nest within hours after hatching. The fledglings stay with the hen for several weeks, and are capable of flight at about two weeks of age. At only fifteen weeks of age, young Ring-necked Pheasants begin to resemble adults. Food consists of a variety of plant and animal material. Grains, seeds, fruit, berries, mast, invertebrates, insects, lizards, rodents, and even small birds are consumed. They prefer to run when escaping potential threats, however they are capable of flying nearly sixty miles an hour. Most Common Pheasants that are hunted are wild-born feral pheasants. In South Dakota alone, more than one million birds are taken
page 5
annually by about two hundred thousand hunters. Captive birds may live for twenty years, however in the wild, three years is the average lifespan. California Department of Fish and Wildlife cohosted a pheasant ecology workshop with Pheasants Forever Inc. in April 2015, to examine the causes for the decline in California’s pheasant populations over the past twenty-five years. Data revealed that changes in agricultural practices, growth of forested habitats in historic wetland and grassland environments, climate change, and predation from increasing raven populations have contributed to pheasant population declines in California. James M. Hale is a vertebrate zoologist, ethnobiologist, and ecological consultant based in Contra Costa County. Please visit his website at www. dochale.com
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ChrisRousset09@gmail.com
Broker Associate
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page 6
THE VALLEY SENTINEL January 2020
valleysentinel.com
Park District’s 2000 Vision By Beverly Lane, President, East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors
The year 2019 was a banner one for the East Bay Regional Park District – its 85th anniversary - and 2020 looks to be every bit as significant. During 2020 the District will start or complete more than a dozen major projects to construct new facilities for the public or undertake extensive renovation of existing ones. Most of these have been a long time coming with work done over several years. Describing just a few will give an idea of the scope: At Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch,
an exciting new exhibit has been under construction, planned for opening to the public this year. It’s a re-creation of a working coal mine, located next to the sand mine tunnels in the park’s existing Underground Mining Museum. The park’s actual historic coal mine tunnels are closed off, too dangerous for public access. But with life-sized models and sound enhancement, visitors will gain new understanding of the hard-working lives of 19th century miners. The cost of approximately $1.3 million is covered by the Regional Parks Foundation and the District’s general fund. Nearby at Contra Loma Regional Park in East County, old fishing docks and restrooms along the shores of Contra Loma Reservoir will be replaced. Funding of $1.3
million will come from the Bureau of Land Reclamation, the Wildlife Conservation Fund, and District funds. In spring of this year, the Park District Board will adopt the land use plan for Concord Hills Regional Park on the Park District’s share of the former Concord Naval Weapons Station property. Long range plans for the site, in partnership with the National Park Service, call for a visitor center showcasing the property’s natural and cultural history, repurposing old ammunition bunkers (also called magazines) as picnic areas, and lots of trails for park exploration. There will likely be some reservable naturalistguided walks on part of the property later in 2020. A major Upper San Leandro Creek restoration project is planned this year and next at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve in the hills between Oakland and Moraga. It’s on the recently acquired M c C o s ke r p ro p e r t y a n d involves “daylighting” more than 3,000 feet of a previously culverted stream, creating critical habitat for wildlife. Funds for the project will come from many sources, including the State of California, Coastal Conservancy, Caltrans, and the Natural Resources Agency. The estimated budget is $13.5 million. In 2020 the Park District also will complete the Phase I
Beware of Poisonous Mushrooms Each year, mushrooms come out after the first rains of the season, which began on November 26. Mushrooms are ecologically important and can look beautiful – but some of them contain dangerous toxins. The Death Cap (Amanita phalloides) a n d We s t e r n d e s t roy i n g angel (Amanita ocreata) are two of the world’s most toxic mushrooms, and both can be found in East Bay Regional Parks during the rainy season. The death cap and Western destroying angel
The Death Cap
mushrooms contain amatoxins, a group of molecules that inhibit cellular metabolism in many animals. In mammals, the liver and kidneys are typically the first organs affected after ingestion. Symptoms don’t usually appear until up to 12 hours after consumption, beginning as severe gastrointestinal distress and progressing to the liver and renal failure if treatment is not sought immediately. “ B o t h o f t h e s e t ox i c mushrooms can be lethal to humans and pets if consumed,” said East Bay R e g i o n a l Pa r k D i s t r i c t Naturalist Trent Pearce, who is based in Tilden Regional Park and documents the fungi in East Bay Regional Parks. “They are mostly associated with oak trees and can be found growing anywhere oak roots are present.” The death cap is a medium-to-large mushroom
that typically has a greenishgray cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem, and a large white sac at the base of the stem. Though the death cap is mainly associated with oak trees, it has been found growing with other hardwoods. It was accidentally introduced to North America on the roots of European cork oaks and is now slowly colonizing the West Coast. The death cap is not native to California. The Western Destroying Angel is a medium-to-large mushroom that usually has a creamy white cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem that disappears with age, and a thin white sac at the base. It fruits from late winter into spring. It is associated exclusively with oaks. Unlike the death cap, it is a native California mushroom. “ T h e Pa r k D i s t r i c t urges the public to be safe
development of the Brickyard Cove area in McLaughlin Eastshore State Park, located at the foot of University Avenue in Berkeley. The Park District operates the shoreline on behalf of the state. Improvements will include parking, an entry plaza, restrooms, a drinking fountain, picnic area, trails and appropriate planting. Funding of approximately $5.2 million will come from the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority and a state parks grant. Another major shoreline p ro j e c t i n 2020 w i l l b e restoration of Encinal Beach in Alameda. The plan is to restore native dune habitat that has been overwhelmed by nonnative vegetation. Creosote logs and a rusty barge will be removed; an accessible path to the beach will be added. Funding of approximately $1 million will come from the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and existing, voter-approved Park District bond measures. At the foot of the Bay Bridge, a feature of the new Judge John Sutter Shoreline
and knowledgeable about toxic mushrooms when encountering them in the parks,” said East Bay Regional Park District Public Information Supervisor Dave Mason. “Collecting m u s h ro o m s i n E a s t B ay R e g i o n a l Pa r k s i s n o t allowed.” The death cap and Western destroying angel can also be dangerous for pets. “Dog owners should keep a close watch on their dogs during the winter months,” said Mason. “Pet owners should contact a veterinarian immediately if they suspect their pet may have eaten a toxic mushroom.” While the death cap and western destroying angel mushrooms are responsible for most cases of mushroom poisonings in California, deadly toxins can also be found in Galerina and Lepiota mushroom species, both of which are found in the Bay Area.
Regional Park will be open to the public. The bike trail adjacent to the Bridge is already open. Sometime next spring a viewing platform built on the footings of the 1937 bridge will welcome visitors. Cal Trans paid for the platform and the Park District will manage it. These bay views are unbelievable and not to be missed. And there’s more. A whole new family campground will be completed this year at the Dumbarton Quarry site within Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont. Amenities will include recreational vehicle and tent sites, an amphitheater, restrooms, showers, a camp store and a kiosk. The total budget is $3 million from the District general fund and Coyote Hills Special Revenue Fund. Phase I is scheduled for completion by the fall of this year. So with these and other projects on the calendar, there’s a lot to look forward to in 2020. You can keep informed on progress by visiting the Park District website at www. ebparks.org.
The Western Destroying Angel
The public can learn more about the fungi of the East Bay Regional Parks at the annual Tilden Fungus Fair, Saturday and Sunday, January 25-26, 2020 at Tilden Nature Area’s Environmental Education Center. The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful public parks and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties east of San Francisco Bay, established in 1934. The system comprises 121,000 acres in 73 parks including over1,250 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and nature learning.
valleysentinel.com
January 2020
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
page 7
New Year, New You! page 8
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
January 2020
valleysentinel.com
Looking Beyond New Year’s Resolutions
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The most common New Year’s resolutions are to quit smoking, lose weight, learn to manage personal finances (save more, spend less), eat a healthier diet, quit drinking, get more sleep, exercise more, get organized, learn a new skill or language, read more, travel more and spend more time with loved ones, not necessarily in that order…everyone having different priorities. All of these are worthy goals, each promising benefits to either the physical, emotional, intellectual or financial health of any person hoping for a better year, or a better life moving forward. Looking online one can find a plethora of businesses that mean to exploit the best intentions for success by offering apps, coaching, tricks and tips, statistics, programs for diet or exercise, the latest fashion in sport shoes, “must have” workout clothes or fashionable yoga mats and props, and even machines that can help folks attain their goals. The fear of not being able to do the work without all of these props can cloud the simple steps that can go directly to the point of success.
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What’s missing here? While we all know mostly from personal experience that some or all of our New Year’s resolutions eventually fall by the wayside giving in to more comfortable habits and behaviors, there is something that ties all of them together with a single thread. All of these desires for a better life or life experience stem from one deeply hidden piece of each person’s life puzzle that seems to be missing. The sense that one is failing to do things perfectly can enter into any category, whether it be family living, work, or maintaining one’s health. All of the problems associated with the resolutions mentioned at the beginning of this article work together to either detract from, or support each other. If your diet is unhealthy you may have trouble concentrating, sleeping or having the energy to be physically active, which can affect mental health, causing depression that in turn can affect one’s ability to sleep, or even the desire to have a healthier lifestyle. A lack in any of these can trigger deficiencies in other parts of our lives, including confidence, grooming, positive thinking, substance abuse and selfesteem. While nobody has “all of their ducks in a row”, it is natural to want things to be better. So how can we begin? Where can we start? Going to the core and asking the questions Finding a realistic and attainable goal is tantamount to success. Trying to do everything at once usually ends up being overwhelming, so it’s helpful to know why you feel that an area of your life needs improvement,
whether it’s being surrounded by chaos, having frequent bouts of depression, or just knowing that your kids deserve to have a parent that can be there for them until advanced adulthood. The why of things takes some digging. These questions can take some time to answer due to all of the static and chatter that we’re accustomed to whenever we are looking for answers. Sitting quietly and focusing on the silence, or listening to your breathing or heartbeat to stop the “noise” can calm the ripples in the pond and allow you to see below the surface. This in turn seems to create a peace within and clarity in how to proceed. The incredible simplicity of moving forward can just be dependent on this ability to glimpse our true selves without the distraction of the world outside…which includes all of it….people, society, politics, work, news, money or lack thereof, and that constant stream of chatter and superfluous noise. The perception of who we really are as individual people has been affected by our personal social identity whether it’s “Mom, Engineer, Doctor, Coach, Student, CEO, Teacher, Police Officer, Caregiver”, etc. Breaking through all of that is to get a peek into the wonder and beauty of the life inside us and in all things. This kind of peace becomes love of Self, and a clearer and simpler way to pursue a healthier and more satisfying lifestyle going forward. When things become clear, the way forward is evident, and makes any kind of New Year’s resolution or at any time of year, a simpler and easier goal to attain. Peace inside is possible, and with sustained practice it is within reach for everyone.
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New Year, New You! valleysentinel.com
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A Nudge in the Right Direction By Robert Cucchiaro
We’ve all heard that a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step. Ask any runner and they will tell you that the first step is always the hardest one. What am I getting at here? Sometimes all we need is a little nudge in the right direction and our momentum will take us forward from there. This is especially true when it comes to financial security and planning for one’s future. Every month I get comments from readers who say things like “I really enjoyed last month’s article.” To which I will respond, “great, what action have you taken as a result of what you read.” Silence ensues 9 times out of 10. January is the time that we all make New Year’s resolutions knowing there is a strong chance we won’t follow through with them. What makes planning for your future different, and easier, is that a qualified financial planner (a CFP®) will do most of the heavy lifting for you. All you need to do is gather your financial documents & tax returns and make an appointment. I often say what we do is like hiring a personal trainer for your finances, except with us the trainer is the one sweating after each session!
So knowing this I believe there are 3 primary reasons people want to take action but don’t when it comes to their personal finances: 1. They think it costs too much – The cost of financial advice is tied directly to the complexity of the situation and the opportunities available. If your situation is complex that often means there is a lot of room for improvement. Spending a few thousand dollars on advice which saves you tens of thousands of dollars in taxes sounds like a good return on investment to me. On our website we show 4 Case Studies and each one provides the cost for our work. We charge a flat fee for financial planning and this covers the plan plus all meetings and communications for one year. 2. They think they “don’t qualify” for professional advice – Often times the biggest barrier is that folks have convinced themselves that financial planners are only for athletes and entertainers and that everyone else is relegated to an 800 # at Vanguard - that could not be further from the truth. Providing personal financial advice is actually a much older profession than you probably realize. However the profession has often been tainted by insurance professionals calling themselves “private wealth advisors” and the like when in reality, their advice was all around selling life insurance.
Each One Teach One Volunteer Opportunity The Diablo Valley Literacy Council spring workshop is scheduled. Adults interested in helping ESL (English as a Second Language) adults in the community to learn the English language are encouraged to attend! No teaching experience is required. We will teach you how to be a tutor! The $20 registration covers training and materials. You must attend both sessions. We ask that you commit 1-2 hours per week after you are matched with your student. You and your student decide where to meet--in the home or a public place such as a local library.
If you have a heart for helping others, enjoy meeting people from other countries or would just like to join the literacy movement go to dvlc4esl.org for more information. Register now at the website to attend the next training to be held Saturday, March 7, 2020 from 9 a.m. -1 p.m. and Saturday, March 14, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4000 Clayton Road, in Concord. You may e-mail us at dvlc4esl@ gmail.com with questions or leave a message at (925) 6853881. There are other opportunities within the organization where you are welcome to bring your talent and ideas!
3. The devil you know vs. the devil you don’t – Whether it’s dealing with my mechanic or my IT firm, I know firsthand what it’s like to be vulnerable when receiving advice from someone and having no idea what they are talking about. Maybe they are telling the truth and maybe not, how do I really know? The best advice I can give here is twofold: 1) if you work with a Certified Financial Planner that is held to the fiduciary standard, you are off to a good start in terms of the contractual relationship that you will have surrounding your fee for advice arrangement. 2) Ask the CFP Pro. if you can get some references first and check in with them. I f yo u wo u l d l i ke t o be in the small majority of Americans that make a New Year’s resolution and stick to it in 2020, give us a call at 925927-1900 or email me at rob@ swrpteam.com. Robert Cucchiaro is a Certified Financial Planner and owner of Summit Wealth & Retirement, a financial planning firm that has been serving Danville for over 30 years. Visit us at www. summitwealthandretirement. com
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
page 9
Careers for Youth
East Bay Regional Parks to hold its 6th Annual Youth Job Fairs
These two events are hosted by the East Bay Regional Park District, the Hayward Area Recreation & Park District, and the Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District. Whether you like spending time outdoors, working with children or lifeguarding on the beach, we have the perfect job for you! Learn about the wide variety of opportunities for youth and students while exploring the many jobs available for the summer and in the near future. Resume and interview tips provided! Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020 Hayward Area Senior Center 22325 North 3rd Street Hayward, CA 94541. Parking is available at the Senior Center.
Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020 Pleasant Hill Senior Center 233 Gregory Lane Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 County Connection #314 or #316, dropping off at Gregory Lane & Cleaveland Road Parking is available at the Senior Center Schedule for both dates & locations • 10:00am - Doors Open! • 10:00am - 11:15am - Job Fair & Networking • 11:15am - 11:45am - Workshops & Mock Interviews • 12:00pm - Farewell! Please plan to stay for the entire event! These two events are sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, and the Regional Parks Foundation. For more information call (510) 544-2154, or email inquiries to jobs@ebparks.org.
Senior Living page 10
valleysentinel.com
January 2020
Your Medicare Costs in 2020 By Cate Kortzeborn
The standard premium is what most people with Medicare pay. Part B covers physician services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment, and certain other medical and health services not covered by Medicare Part A. The annual deductible for all Part B beneficiaries is $198 in 2020, an increase of $13 from the annual deductible of $185 in 2019. The increase in the Part B premiums and deductible is largely due to Medicare’s rising expenses for drugs administered in doctors’ offices. Current law requires Medicare to pay the average sales price for a Part B drug and also pays physicians a percentage of a drug’s sale price. This incentivizes drug companies to set prices higher and for physicians to prescribe more expensive
As we head into the new year, I wanted to let you know how much your Medicare premiums, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs will be in 2020. E a c h ye a r, M e d i c a re premiums, deductibles, and copayment rates are adjusted according to the Social Security Act. For 2020, the Medicare Part B monthly premiums and the annual deductible are higher than the 2019 amounts. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $144.60 for 2020, an increase of $9.10. The Part B premium in 2019 was $135.50.
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Volunteer with AARP Tax-Aide for the 2020 Tax Season Do you like working with people? Are you good with numbers? AARP Tax-Aide is looking for volunteers to become members of a team providing free tax preparation for individuals of all ages residing in Contra Costa County. Tax-Aide volunteer positions include Tax Counselors who are trained by Tax-Aide and certified by IRS, and Client Facilitators, who schedule appointments and assist clients at tax sites. Classes for tax counselors start in January 2020. Service is from February through April 15, 2020. If interested, apply online at www.aarp.org/ taxvolunteer or call (925) 726-3199 for additional information.
drugs, since that leads to a higher Medicare payment. The Trump Administration is working to lower prices for Part B drugs through its drug pricing blueprint. S i n c e 2 0 0 7 , Pa r t B premiums have been based in part on a beneficiary’s income, with higher-income beneficiaries paying higher premiums. These incomerelated monthly adjustment amounts affect about 7 percent of people with Part B. The 2020 Part B total premiums for highincome beneficiaries can be found here: https://www.cms.gov/ newsroom/fact-sheets/2020medicare-parts-b-premiumsand-deductibles Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital, skilled nursing, and some home health care services. About 99 percent
of Medicare beneficiaries do not have a Part A premium since they paid Medicare payroll taxes for at least 40 quarters of employment. The Part A inpatient hospital deductible that beneficiaries will pay when admitted to the hospital will be $1,408 in 2020, an increase of $44 from $1,364 in 2019. The Part A inpatient hospital deductible covers beneficiaries’ share of costs for the first 60 days of Medicare-covered inpatient hospital care in a benefit period. In 2020, beneficiaries must pay a coinsurance amount of $352 per day for the 61st through 90th day of a hospitalization (versus $341 in 2019) in a benefit period and $704 per day for lifetime reserve days (versus $682 in 2019). For beneficiaries in skilled nursing facilities, the daily
coinsurance for days 21 through 100 of extended care services in a benefit period will be $176 in 2020 ($170.50 in 2019). These premiums and cost sharing apply to people with Original or Traditional Medicare. Premiums and deductibles for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans were previously finalized. On average for 2020, Medicare Advantage premiums are expected to decline by 23 percent from 2018, and will be the lowest in the past 13 years while plan choices, benefits, and enrollment continue to increase. Cate Kortzeborn is Medicare’s regional administrator for Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii, and the Pacific Territories. You can always get answers to your Medicare questions by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-6334227).
Upcoming Family Caregiver Classes – Dementia Basics The complete schedule for On January 11, 2020, Hope Hospice will offer a free presentation for family caregivers, “Living With Dementia: Dementia Basics.” Registration is required. Since dementia dramatically changes the ways that individuals think, perceive, and use language, caring for a loved one with dementia presents a unique set of challenges. This class will provide basic information about the nature and progression of dementia and the various diseases and conditions that can produce its symptoms. An introduction to dementia-related behaviors and communication strategies will provide a foundation for three additional Living With Dementia classes coming up later in the year. The presenters will be Jill Smith, R.N., Certified PAC Independent Trainer and Consultant CARES® Dementia Specialist and Debbie
Emerson, M.S., Community Health Educator and CARES® Dementia Specialist This class will take place at the Hope Hospice office located at 6377 Clark Avenue, 2nd floor, in Dublin 94568. Free parking on site. Coffee and light refreshments are served at 9:45 a.m. and the class is in session from 10 a.m. to noon. An optional caregiver support group convenes after class from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m.; bring your own bag lunch if desired. Classes in Hope’s Family Caregiver Education Series are offered to the community for free, though donations to Hope Hospice are gratefully accepted and help us offset costs of running the program. Seating is limited, so please register in advance if you will be attending. View the complete Series schedule and registration details at hopehospice.com/family or call (925) 829-8770.
2020 is now posted and can be downloaded in PDF form at hopehospice.com/family. About Hope Hospice Hope Hospice is proud to have served the Tri-Valley and neighboring East Bay cities since 1980. We are committed to supporting patients and their loved ones with exceptional care, compassion, and dignity. Hope provides quality end-oflife hospice care, grief support, dementia-care education, and family caregiver education. As a community-led, non-profit organization, Hope Hospice offers services regardless of insurance, income status, nation of origin, or religion. Staff is available 24/7. Hope Hospice is accredited by the Joint Commission, licensed by the State of California Department of Health Services, and Medicare/MediCal certified. Learn more at HopeHospice.com or contact us at (925) 829-8770.
Call for Auction Donations for VNDV Fundraiser are essential for success of coordinators, Jim Murphy who The Vietnam Veterans of Diablo Valley’s annual crab feed fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday, February 2. T h ey a re i n n e e d o f auction donations and only have a few weeks to bring them in. Auction donations
this fundraiser. Only one month remains to obtain the donations needed. “If everyone obtained just one donation – it would be a clear success”. Donations should be submitted to our two dedicated
can be reached at (925) 8582618 and Jim Hill, who can be reached at (510) 410-1040. If you have questions or need help, please contact “the Jims”. For tickets contact “Slatts” at: Slattengren.VNVDV@gmail. com
valleysentinel.com
January 2020
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
page 11
Personalized, Concierge Services For Danville Entrepreneurs By Jill Bergman, Danville Economic Development Manager
The Valley Sentinel Recognized A Message of Thanks By Denise Rousset, publisher
On December 12, The Valley Sentinel and I were recognized and awarded at the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Mixer at Heritage Bank. Although I knew that Danville Mayor Robert Storer said he wanted to “say a few words”, I never suspected anything like the incredible honor and recognition that was given so warmly and emotionally. Now in its 25th year, it was pointed out that the Valley Sentinel has seen changes both near and far. Mayor Storer spoke of a few of these changes and events such as these: “The year you started publishing”, he said, “Bill Clinton was president. Former President Richard Nixon passed away, the Northridge earthquake in southern California shakes, Pete Wilson was Governor of California, NAFTA was signed, China got its first internet connection, Nelson Mandela was inaugurated president of South Africa”. And the following 25 years “saw the second [and now third] Presidential impeachment, smart phones, 9-11 attack, Global War on Terrorism, space shuttle Columbia explosion on re-entry, women allowed in combat, first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives, the complete decoding of the human genome, 4 different presidents of the United States, “and many more wonderful discoveries in science and health”. It’s with joy and deep gratitude that I would like to thank the Danville Town Council; 2019 Danville Mayor Robert Storer, Karen Stepper, Newell Arnerich, Renee Morgan, and Lisa Blackwell. Thanks also to the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce, and to Zae Perrin for his heartfelt and beautiful words. This is an amazing honor and recognition. The friends I have made over the years in this community are deep and genuine, and I’ll be forever grateful to count so many among you. It’s truly my privilege to work and make new friends every day in this wonderful Town. Very Sincerely, Denise Rousset Publisher
Coyote Creek Elementary Named California Exemplary Arts Education Award Winner The San Ramon Valley Unified School District ( S RV U S D ) i s p r o u d t o announce that Coyote Creek Elementary School in San Ramon has been named a California Exemplary Arts Education School by the California Department of Education as part of their California Schools Re c o g n i t i o n P ro g ra m . Coyote Creek is one of only thirteen schools in the State of California to receive this honor. The California Exemplary Arts Education Aw a r d ( E A E ) P r o g r a m recognizes some of C a l i f o r n i a ’s exe m p l a r y schools for excellence in Arts Education. Schools selected for the Exemplary A r t s E d u c a t i o n Aw a r d demonstrate broad-based achievement in Arts
instruction and for advancing the Arts for all students. In addition to meeting the Arts Standards and Dashboard eligibility criteria, to apply t o b e re c o g n i z e d a s a n Exemplary Arts Awardee, schools must offer instruction to all students in a minimum of three of the five arts disciplines identified in the Arts Standards and they must also show one level of improvement for at least one student subgroup in one of the following three areas based on the Dashboard: S c h o o l C l i m a t e, S t u d e n t Engagement, and/or Academic Achievement. Coyote Creek Elementary was designated by the SRVUSD as an Integrated Arts School beginning in the 2019-2020 school year. Along with a rigorous academic program, Coyote Creek
offers theatre, music, visual art, dance, and media arts experiences to all students both as independent classes a n d a s i n t e rd i s c i p l i n a r y subjects woven into core content areas. “The entire Coyote Creek community -- staff, students and parents -- are to be commended for their focus on Arts Education,” said SRVUSD Superintendent Rick Schmitt. “This is the first year that Coyote Creek has been officially designated as an Integrated Arts School for the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) in the SRVUSD. To see them honored for their work in their first year is truly exceptional and speaks to the hard work and commitment of everyone in that school community to bring the Arts to every student.”
In my role as Economic Development Manager, I have the distinct pleasure of meeting business owners and entrepreneurs excited about the prospects of launching a business in Danville. This effort itself can seem like a daunting process, which is why the Town decided to take a proactive approach to develop t h e B u s i n e s s C o n c i e rg e Program to engage businesses early and often. We did this by developing a “Concierge” team of leaders that offer personalized service to new and expanding businesses, providing them with tools needed to streamline the process and open their doors to customers sooner. Our team is focused and ready to help, and the pleasure is all ours. The landscape of Danville’s business community is constantly changing. New businesses sprout with energy and passion, while longtime favorites evolve to
keep up with current trends by tailoring services and products to our community. If you haven’t shopped locally for a while, I invite you to experience the vast array of local businesses in your neighborhood shopping centers or reacquaint yourself with what’s new in the heart of our historic downtown. Re d i s c o v e r o u r u n i q u e collection of award-winning stores and restaurants that give Danville its friendly, small-town feel and creating the perfect place to spend a few hours browsing. The success of our community, first and foremost, stems from residents’ support. When you invest to sustain locally owned independent community businesses, they in turn reinvest in the community we all treasure. So please help nourish our businesses by looking to Danville first and remembering to Live Locally!
Free Tax Preparation Free tax preparation for the 2020 tax season is available starting February 2020 from AARP’s Tax-Aide and United Way’s Earn It, Keep It, Save It (EKS) programs. The service is provided by volunteer IRS trained and certified tax preparers. Both programs serve taxpayers of any age, and AARP membership is not required for Tax-Aide. EKS service is limited to those with incomes below $54,000, while Tax-Aide does not have an income limit. Beginning January 6, 2020, for information or to make an appointment for the Tax-Aide sites serving the San Ramon/Danville area, call: (925) 973-3250 for the San Ramon Senior Center site or
(925) 480-7202 for the Danville Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley site. For general information and other site locations, call: (925) 7263199. For information on EKS sites call 2-1-1 or visit www. earnitkeepitsaveit.org. To complete your tax return, you will need to bring the following documents: • Social Security Card or ITIN letter for all individuals to be listed on the return • Photo identification for the taxpayer and spouse • Copies of all 2019 W-2s, 1098s and 1099s • Other income and deductions • Your 2018 Tax Return • Covered California: All documents including form 1095
In addition to Coyote Creek Elementary being named a California Exemplary Arts Education Award-winning School, two SRVUSD schools, Hidden Hills Elementary and Sycamore Valley Elementary, were named as California Distinguished schools this p a s t D e c e m b e r. S t ay i n g consistent with the California Distinguished Schools Program, the California EAE Award recognizes elementary and middle and high schools in alternate years and allows eligible schools to apply for the California EAE Award once every two years. Schools
recognized as a California EAE School Awardee hold the Title for two years. California Exemplary Arts Education Schools, along with California Distinguished Schools, National Blue Ribbon Schools, National Terrel H. Bell Awardees, and National ESEA Distinguished Schools, all will be honored on February 10, 2020, during a n awa rd s c e re m o ny a t the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. For more information on the California School Recognition Program, please visit their website.
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For additional Community Events visit: www.ValleySentinel.com Please email information about your events to info@valleysentinel.com COMMUNITY EVENTS January 19 Dinners Around the World: Asian Cuisine 4:30pm. Join us at San Damiano Retreat, 710 Highland Drive in Danville for Asian Cuisine. Cost is $25 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. San Damiano Retreat. For information visit www. sandamiano.org or call 925-837-9141. January 24 San Ramon Historic Foundation Crab Feed 6-9pm. Come join us for our all you can eat crab feed to support Forest Home Farms! We will have crab, pasta, salad, French bread, coffee, tea and an auction for special desserts and a silent auction. The no-host social hour starts at 6:00 and dinner starts at 7:00. Dougherty Station Community Center, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon Reservations: PayPal at www.srhf.org/events or by sending a check to SRHF, P.O. Box 1, San Ramon, CA 94583 Questions call (925) 785-3395 January 25 Alamo Women’s Club All-You-Can-Eat Crab Feed and Auction Fundraiser 5-10pm. Hosted by AWC - Alamo Women’s Club: Save the date for the Alamo Women’s Club Crab Feed at our clubhouse on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 1401 Danville Blvd. in Alamo from 5 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $55 per person. Contact Barbara at Barbaraing@aol.com for further information. Checks can be made out to Alamo Women’s Club and mailed to our P. O. Box 151, Alamo, CA 94507 or go to Eventbrite on the web to purchase tickets. Silent and live auction. Come join the fun! Alamo Women’s Club (AWC), 1401 Danville Blvd, Alamo, California 94507 ONGOING Collections for Men and Women in the War Zone Gourmet Junk Food: First Friday of the month at CVS in Alamo; Second Friday of the month at Lunardi’s in Danville; List of acceptable items available during collection times. Hours 11:30 to 1:30 Delta Nu Psi Special Services for Children with Cancer and Their Families Cancer Support Community offers short-term counseling (12 to 20 sessions) at no cost to children with cancer and their families. Counseling can be for the family, siblings, and/or kids coping with cancer. For m ore information or to request this service, please call us at 925-933-0107 and ask to speak with our program director, Margaret Stauffer, LMFT. Hope Hospice seeking volunteers Hope Hospice is currently looking for individuals who are interested in volunteering to assist hospice patients and their families. Volunteer opportunities include; Home Care; Cosmetology; Healing Touch; Reiki; Massage Therapy; Vocalists. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact Jill Biggs, RN, at 925-829-8770. Volunteers Needed: Read to Preschoolers Volunteers are needed at childcare centers in Concord, Pittsburg, and West County. The Contra Costa County Library will supply books and resources. For more information, please contact Maureen Kilmurray at 925-927-3288. Alamo Farmer’s Market Every Sunday, Year-round 9am-2pm, rain or shine. Fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, nuts, local honey, live music, delicious varieties of hummus with fresh pita and pita chips. Located in the Alamo Plaza Shopping Center, at Stone Valley Road and Danville Blvd., with convenient parking. Danville Farmer’s Market Every Saturday, Year-round 9am-1pm. Get the freshest seasonal fare at the Danville Certified Farmers’ Market. Railroad & Prospect Avenue, Danville. Information: www.ci.danville.ca.us. (You can make donations of fresh vegetables and fruit for our local food pantries at the Loaves & Fishes Booth at the Danville Farmers Market.) San Ramon Farmers Market Every Saturday & Thursday Year-round Buy fresh, seasonal produce directly from local farmers at San Ramon Farmers Market. www.SanRamonFarmersMarket.org. Bishop Ranch 3, 2641 Camino Ramon, San Ramon. Canine Companions for Independence Puppy Class Every Saturday 10-11am. Become a puppy raiser! The East Bay Miracles Chapter invites you to help train puppies to become assistant dogs for children and adults with disabilities. Athenian High School, 2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd., Danville. Information: 925-838-3213, cci.org/ eastbaychapter
Forest Home Farms Historic Park & Glass House Museum–open for Fun on the Farm Every Saturday 11am-2pm. Enjoy tours of the Glass House Museum, the farm and its history. Tours are $5 per person, or $8 for both tours on the same day. 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon. Information: 925973-3284 or visit www.sanramon.ca.gov. Saturday without Reservations at the Tao House Every Saturday 10am, 12pm, and 2pm. Come explore this National Historic Site in Danville. Catch the shuttle at the bus stop in front of the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, 205 Railroad Ave. www.EugeneOneill.org SENIORS January 14 Buzz Session: 2020 Extended Trip Presentation 10-11am. Presenter: Kris Adams. Join us January 14 for a presentation of all our extended trips for 2020. A representative from the tour company will be here to provide you with trip details and answer all your questions. To be held at the Senior Center, Veterans Memorial Building, 115 E Prospect Avenue, Danville, 94526. For more info Call 925-314-3430 January 21 Buzz Session: Exploring Our Family History 10-11am. Presenter: Ted Shapas. Sponsored by San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society. Much has changed in just the past few years to make genealogy research simpler and more far-reaching. For example, DNA testing has opened new avenues for finding lost or unknown relatives, and much of what was once only available in physical archives or government files is now available with a few keystrokes on your computer. To be held at the Senior Center, Veterans Memorial Building, 115 E Prospect Avenue, Danville, 94526. For more info Call 925-314-3430 January 28 Buzz Session: Cannabis for Pain and Inflammation 10-11am. Presenter: Laurie Light. Curious how full spectrum cannabis, and hemp-derived CBD work to combat pain and inflammation? Seniors are among the fastest growing demographics using medicinal cannabis. With legality increasing nationwide, more people are turning to it as a natural alternative to pain killers, sleep aids, and to increase appetite. Come listen and learn with local, Certified Cannabis Educator, Laurie Light, and acquire the knowledge and confidence to use cannabis and hemp for inflammation and pain relief. To be held at the Senior Center, Veterans Memorial Building, 115 E Prospect Avenue, Danville, 94526. For more info Call 925-314-3430 February 4 Buzz Session: Planning Your Legacy: Estate Planning 10-11am. Presenter: Joshua Gotto, of Gotto Law Offices. Come find out why everyone over the age of 18 needs some sort of estate planning. Learn about some of the first steps that you can take to secure your legacy. We will cover basic estate planning documents, recent changes to the laws surrounding wills and trusts and your next steps to better secure the ones you love. To be held at the Senior Center, Veterans Memorial Building, 115 E Prospect Avenue, Danville, 94526. For more info Call 925-314-3430 Danville Seniors Unless otherwise noted, the following activities are held at the Danville Senior Center, Veterans Memorial Building, 115 E. Prospect, Danville. For more information call 925-314-3490 or visit www. ci.danville.ca.us/Recreation/Seniors. Sneaker Trips: The Town of Danville’s Senior Sneakers program is a great way for you to make new friends and get out and around the greater Bay Area. There’s always something new to see and learn. The Danville Area Senior Hikes (DASH) is open to all adults and meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. The group starts at 8:45am at Osage Park, 816 Brookside Drive, Danville and returns about 1pm. Information: 925-314-3400 or visit www.ci.danville.ca.us/Recreation/Seniors/ Senior_Hiking. San Ramon Seniors The following events are held at the Alcosta Senior & Community Center, 9300 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon, unless otherwise noted. For more information call 925-973-3250 or visit www.sanramon.ca.gov/ parks/programs/ages55+.htm. Wisdom Wednesdays: 10:30am-12pm. Free workshops and informational sessions that will benefit you. They will give you free access to coffee, knowledge and a better understanding of important issues. Information: 925-973-3250.
Trips Trip Desk is open Tuesdays from 10am-1pm. Sign up for trips at the travel desk or by depositing payment with registration form in the gold drop box found at the main entryway. Information: 925973-3250. Wednesday Morning Hikes (time and location varies) Join the San Ramon Trailblazers if you are interested in meeting new people, enjoying the outdoors, having fun and getting in shape. To find out the exact meeting location, please call the Senior Center at 925-973-3250 or email trailblazer88@comcast.net. Page Turners Senior Book Group Third Tuesday of the month 1:30pm. Drop in–all are welcome! Copies of this month’s book are on reserve for you at the Dougherty Station Library Front Desk. Book group meets at Alcosta Senior and Community Center, 9300 Alcosta Blvd. Information: Carol Yuke, Adult Services Librarian. 925-973-2850. BUSINESS Notice: The Danville Area Chamber of Commerce helps businesses improve digital footprint In partnership with The Economic Development Committee and the Town of Danville, it is our goal to help every business in the Danville Area to improve their digital footprint and customer outreach. We are doing so by helping businesses get online and improve their online presence. This is a service and resource that we are offering for FREE to both members and non-members, so book your appointment today and bring your neighbor with you! Contact me, Zae Perrin: (925) 8374400 or email: ceo@danvilleareachamber.com January 14 Danville Area Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting 5:30pm. Come celebrate this new Danville business at their Ribbon Cutting. White Rabbit Business Solutions. The event will take place at Cocina Hermanas Mexican Restaurant, located at 501 Hartz Ave, Danville. January 16 Third Thursday Mixer with the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce Please join us for our Third Thursday Mixer at Diablo Motors in San Ramon! Meet other business owners for an opportunity to network and make your business more visible. Pricing: $5 for Members and $20 for Non-Members. No RSVP Required. Checks and Cash only please. Diablo Motors is located at 2067 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. For more information call Kathy Fanning at (925) 242-0600. January 21 Danville Area Chamber of Commerce Silk Road Massage Ribbon Cutting 5:30pm. Come meet this new business and celebrate their ribbon cutting. Refreshments and networking. Located at 480 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite G, Danville. January 28 Speed Networking Mixer 6pm. Come mix & mingle to help kick-off of the 2020 business year with the ever popular ‘Speed Networking Mixer’ format, and help celebrate the Installation of the Danville Area Chamber Board of Directors! Tickets: $35 pp - incl. Italian buffet dinner by Locanda Ravella & refreshments. Purchase tickets through Eventbrite at https:// boardinstallspeednetwork.eventbrite.com or call the Chamber at 925-837-4400. Event to be held at the Danville Vets Hall, 400 Hartz Ave., Danville 94526. CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS January 28 Alamo Danville Newcomers Club 10am-Noon. Are you a new resident of Danville, Alamo, Blackhawk or Diablo, a longtime resident, newly retired or empty nester interested in making new friends and participating in various social activities? The Alamo Danville Newcomers Club is a woman’s organization, whose purpose is to enrich the lives of all its members and their families in a social manner. Check out all that our club has to offer by visiting www.alamodanvillenewcomers.com. The next “Welcome Coffee” will be held on January 28th from 10:00 AM to Noon. RSVP to – alamodanvillenewcomers@gmail.com. January 11 California Writers Club: The Acorn: Turning Ideas into Prose Victoria Zackheim will explore how a “nut” of an idea can be nurtured and developed into many media. She’ll discuss how to choose one’s genre: poetry, film, theater, short story, novel, or memoir. And finally, she’ll advise how to begin the writing process. 11am sign in, luncheon 12-12:45 pm. Sign-in starts at 11:00 am, Luncheon 12-12:45
Please email your calendar events to the Sentinel at Info@valleysentinel.com by 5pm on the 20th of the month preceding publication month. Inclusion in the calendar pages is at the sole discretion of Sentinel Newspapers, Inc.
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January 2020
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
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Community Calendar continued from page 12 pm. Speaker 1-2:00 pm. Registration is $25 for CWC members, $30 for guests. To reserve, go to the CWC Mt. Diablo website at : https://cwcmtdiablo.org/ current-cwc-mt-diablo-meeting Online, or to pay by cash or check, select “Pay at Door.” To use credit card or PayPal, select “Pay with PayPal.” Website, http://cwcmtdiablowriters.org. Tri-Valley Fly Fishers Visitors welcome. Meetings feature speakers who share their knowledge of the sport. Held at 7:00 PM on the first Thursday of every month, September through June at the Livermore-Pleasanton Rod and Gun Club, 4000 Dagnino Road, Livermore, CA 94551. Information: email Roger Perry at President@ Tri-valleyflyfishers.org Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Advances equity for women and girls. AAUW membership is open to all graduates of accredited four year colleges or universities and those holding an Associate Degree. For information contact Marsha at (925) 351-8188 for more Visit daw-ca.aauw.net for meeting dates. Cancer workshops and support groups-Ongoing Most are FREE. Cancer Support Community, 3276 McNutt Avenue, Walnut Creek. Information / reservations call 925-933-0107 or visit www.cancersupportcommunity.net. Fibro? CFIDS? Chronic Pain? If these are familiar to you, call about the San Ramon Valley support group for people who need support, information, classes and friendship from people who know what it’s like. We like to laugh while getting well. Call 925-837-0510. Hope Hospice Grief Support Groups– Ongoing Hope Hospice provides support to help you understand and manage grief in a way that is healthy and appropriate. Our Grief Support Center is available to all community members at minimal or no cost. Information: visit www.HopeHospice.com or call 925-829-8770. Hospice of the East Bay Support groups and workshops for adults, children and teens experiencing grief after the death of a loved one. Classes will be offered at Hospice’s Administrative Offices: 3470 Buskirk Avenue; Pleasant Hill and the Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation: 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. Pre-registration is required for all groups and classes, except our drop-in group. To register, please call Hospice of the East Bay: (925) 887-5681. Information: www.hospiceeastbay.org RECURRING Mondays: The Walnut Creek Garden Club 9:45am: The topic of the January presentation will be, “The three cans…” Kerry Rivers from Republic Services presents the company’s sustainability goals and initiatives for a cleaner, safer and healthier world for generations to come. The Walnut Creek Garden Club meets on the second Monday of each month at The Gardens at Heather Farm Camellia Room. The center is at 1540 Marchbanks Drive. Call 925-947-1678 for directions. The business meeting is at 9:45am, socializing time is at 10am, and the program is at 11am. Contact Catherine Accardi at email caacat@ comcast.net for more information. Sons In Retirement (Las Trampas Branch) Monthly Luncheon 11:15am. Meets the third Monday of each month, except for May and December. Make new friends and participate in fun activities. Make $25 luncheon reservations by calling 925322-1160 by the preceding Wednesday. Boundary Oak, 3800 Valley Vista Road, Walnut Creek. Information: visit www.branch116.org.
Danville Rotary 12pm. Meets every Monday. Black Bear Diner, 807 Camino Ramon, Danville. Information: danvillerotary.org. San Ramon Alzheimer Support Group 7-9pm. Meets the second Monday of each month, except on holidays. Sponsored by the Alzheimer Association. Caregivers of Alzheimer victims can get information on how to help them through this difficult time in life. San Ramon Senior & Community Center, 9300 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon. Information: 925-973-3250 Tuesdays: The Compassionate Friends 7:30-9pm. The Compassionate Friends is a support group for parents who have experienced the death of a child of any age and no matter how long ago. Grandparents and older siblings are also welcome to attend. The meeting takes place on the 4th Tuesday of every month 7:30-9:00 pm at St. John Vianney Church, Mullen Commons Building, 1630 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek. Please call 925 871-2604 for amore information. Senior Self-Help Clinic It is on the first Tuesday of every month at the Spinetta Family Law Center in Martinez on the first floor, room 144B, from 9-11AM. Drop-in clinic available to Contra Costa Seniors age 60 and older who do not have an attorney and who represent themselves in court.. For info email katie.kelly@ccsls.org. Contra Costa Senior Legal Services. TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) We meet every Tuesday at St. Timothy’s Office Building, Grace House, Basement 1550 Diablo Rd. Danville CA Our hours: Weigh in 8:30 - 9:30am, meeting is 9:30 - 10:30am. We are a weight loss club. Information, please call Mary Stoneburner, at (925) 837-1882 Danville AM Toastmasters 7-8:30am. Want to improve your speaking and presentation skills? Toastmasters can help! Meets every Tuesday in downtown Danville. www.4143. toastmastersclubs.org Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary 7am. Meets every Tuesday morning. Crow Canyon Country Club, Danville. Information: dsvrotary.com. Diablo View Toastmasters 8:30-9:30am. Meets every Tuesday on the first floor at Realty One, 2355 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danville. Information: 4160.toastmastersclubs.org. San Ramon Valley Geneological Society 10am. Meets every third Tuesday at the LDS Church, 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. http://srvgensoc.org Walnut Creek Rotary 12:15-1:30pm. Meets every Tuesday. Heather Farms Garden Center, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: rotarywc.org. ARF Pet Loss Support Group 5:30-7pm. Meets second Tuesday of every month. Register with Vicki at 925887-5681 or vickis@hospiceeastbay. org. ARF, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: arf.net. Divorced and Separated Workshop 7- 8:30pm. A new workshop series for divorced and separated people is being held on at St. Joan of Arc Parish, 2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. Contact: Sue at smc9@sbcglobal.net. 925 -819-1809. Prostate Cancer Group 7:30–9pm. Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month. Drop-in prostate cancer group for men and their loved ones. San Ramon Regional Medical Center, South Building, West Day Room. 6001 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon. Information: 925.933.0107 or www.twc-bayarea.org/ community-programs.html.
Wednesdays: American Legion Post 246 Meets First Wednesdays at 12:00 noon at The VMB building upstairs 400 Hartz Danville Diablo Dance Club 7-10pm Meets the last Wednesday of every month. Live music, refreshments. Members $10, Guests $15. All welcome. 111 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. Come join us! Danville Tennis Club (DTC) 6:30-9 PM Wednesday Night Drop-In Tennis at San Ramon Valley High School, 501 Danville Blvd., for men and women of 4.0 level or above (and strong 3.5). Also have USTA teams and social events. Join free at https://groups.yahoo.com/ neo/groups/danvilletennisclub/info Mount Diablo Rose Society Meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month from September through June at 7:30 pm in the Community Room of the Dublin Public Library at 200 Civic Plaza, Dublin 94568. For more info, visit our website: https://www.mtdiablorosesociety.org or email secretary@ mtdiablorosesociety.org. Walnut Creek Toastmasters 7-8:15pm. Meets every Wednesday. 1660 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill. Information: walnutcreek.freetoasthost.net Sons in Retirement (San Ramon Valley chapter) Monthly Luncheon 10:30am; Social Hour, 11:35am meeting and lunch. Meets the 3rd Wed. of each month. Reservations, please email us at www.info@sir128.com by Friday prior to the luncheon. Bridges Golf Club, 9000 S. Gale Ridge Rd., San Ramon. Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley 12pm. Meets the second Wednesday of every month. Sign-in and social time begins at 11:30. Guests are welcome with lunch reservations. Faz Restaurant, 600 Hartz Ave., Danville. RSVP 925-275-2412. Info: www.srvexchangeclub.org Alamo Rotary The Rotary Club of Alamo meets at 12:15 p.m. Every Wednesday at Round Hill Country Club, 3169 Round Hill Road, Alamo. Our correct e-mail address is: info@alamorotary.org Walnut Creek Host Lion’s Club 12:15pm. Meets the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wednesdays of each month. Black Bear Diner, 700 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek. Information: walnutcreeklions. org. Danville Lions Club 6:30pm. Meets the first and third Wednesday at the Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Dr., Danville. Information: Truman Howard 925-7872565 truman.howard@gmail.com San Ramon Valley Rotary 7pm. Meets every Wednesday. Blackhawk Country Club, 599 Blackhawk Club Drive, Danville. Info: sanramonvalleyrotary.com. Blue Star Moms 7-9pm. Meets the second Wednesday of every month to participate in service activities supporting sons/daughters serving in the military. Danville Veterans Memorial Building, 400 Hartz Ave. Information: bluestarmoms.org. Diablo Valley Quilters 7-9pm. Meets the third Wednesday of every month. No charge for guests. Danville Congregational Church, 989 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danville. Information: diablovalleyquilters.com. Veterans of Foreign Wars 7pm. Meets the third Wednesday of every month. Veterans Memorial Hall, 400 Hartz Avenue, Danville. Information: Post Commander Ernie Petagara at 925-362-9806 or vfwpost75.org.
Diablo Singles Dance Club 7-10pm. Meets the last Wednesday of every month. Live music, refreshments. Members $8, Guests $12. All welcome. 111N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. Danville Toastmasters Club #1785 7:30-9pm. Meets every Wednesday. Room W204 at Diablo Valley College,1690 Watermill Road, San Ramon. Information: danvilletoastmasters1785.com. Thursdays: Danville Alamo Garden Club Meets on the 2nd Thursday of the months between September and June starting at 9:15 am at the Alamo Women’s Club 1401 Danville Blvd, Alamo. If you have any questions, contact Susan at membershipvp@ dagc.us or go to our website: www. dagc.us. Tri-Valley Fly Fishers (TVFF) Visitors are welcome to join us for this fun-filled evening. Monthly meetings feature guest speakers who share their knowledge of the sport. Meetings are held at 7:00 PM on the first Thursday of every month, September through June at the LivermorePleasanton Rod and Gun Club, 4000 Dagnino Road, Livermore, CA 94551
Diablo Valley Lions Club 7:30pm. Meets the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Thursday of every month. 1400 Montego Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: diablovalleyca.lionwap.org. Fridays: Montelindo Garden Club (third Friday of every month, September through May) at 9 am, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 66 St. Stephens Drive, Orinda, CA. Everyone is welcome. Questions? Contact wconstantine@comcast.net. Or call 925-284-8193. Transitions-“Navigating Life’s Turning Points Together” 9-11:30am, starting 9/13. We are real women moving through real transitions in life. Registration is open year round and there’s always a welcoming seat. Community Presbyterian Church: 222 W. El Pintado Rd., Danville, Conference Room. Contact Diane at dianewood70@gmail.com, or Liz at elizabeth1728@yahoo.com. Saturdays: Diablo Region of the Porsche Club of America 7:30-9am. Meets every Saturday. Buttercup Bar and Grill, 660 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek. Information: diablo-pca.org.
The Danville Women’s Club 11am. Please join the Danville Women’s Club at 242 W. Linda Mesa Ave., Danville, for our monthly luncheon. Reservations required. Contact 925837-1165 to make your reservation. Lunch is free for first-timers, $8 for others. You’re welcome to stay for our meeting to learn more about us.
Danville Veteran Service Organizations 8am-11am Every Saturday at Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley – in Danville – the VSOs jointly host a “Veterans Coffee Social” from 8AM until 11AM… Bring a friend – all Veterans welcome… stop for a few minutes - or stay for hours! Please, and it’s free!
San Ramon Valley Newcomers 11:30am-2pm. Meets the third Thursday of every month with a featured guest speaker at a local Tri-Valley restaurant. New and long-time adult residents are welcome. Reservations/information: susansgotbling@ sbcglobal.net or www.srvnc.com.
Parkinson’s Disease Support Group 9am-12pm. Meets every 3rd Saturday. Join us to share, laugh, and learn from each other. Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. Contact Gregg Riehl at 925-254-8349 or jgriehl@gmail.com. Free. All are welcome. Information: Howard Zalkin at 939-4210 or Ronnie Wanetick at 933-6357.
Rotary Club of San Ramon 11:45am. Meets every Thursday. Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville. Information: sanramonrotary.org. San Ramon Valley Kiwanis Club Thursdays at Noon. Black Bear Diner, 807 Camino Ramon, Danville. www. kiwanis-srv.org Clutterers Anonymous 7-8pm. Meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month. St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Room 3, 2491 San Miguel Drive, Walnut Creek. Information: 925-736-8627.
Help Wanted Research Analyst (2 positions): Use statistical methods to analyze large financial data sets, generate insights into the financial markets, develop & implement quantitative models to identify potential trading opportunities that will increase the profitability of the firm. Mail res to Tanius Technology LLC, 1499 Danville Blvd, Suite 210, Alamo, CA 94507. Attn: HR Job#PCH2019.
Community News & Information Danville • Blackhawk Alamo • Diablo • San Ramon Publisher/Editor-Denise Rousset Chief Financial Officer-Jeff Gummere Graphic Designer-Laurie Prindle Auto-David & Judy Colman
925-820-6047
P.O Box 130 Danville, CA 94526 www.valleysentinel.com
page 14
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
AUTO March 2009 January 2020
2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0T Autobahn By David and Judy Colman
The GTI has been a legend enshrined in the enthusiast’s hall of fame since its introduction in 1975. The 2019 version, the 8th evolution of the Golf, does nothing but burnish the GTI’s sterling reputation. This 4-door, front wheel drive sedan is so good at going hard and going fast that you will hate to arrive at your destination. Consequently, our last drive in the GTI had no destination at all. The point of the trip was to drive the car, not arrive anywhere. Driving as an end in itself has no finer tool than the 2019 GTI. Fast? Check. Agile? Check. Handsome? Check. Affordable? Check. If ever there were a single car that checked all our personal boxes, it would be this one. What distinguishes the GTI from all the other performance wannabes? Balance. The engine never overwhelms the suspension or the brakes. All three elements work harmoniously to make the GTI the best back road weapon you can buy. At twice the money,
this car would be a deal. At the current base price of $35,995, it’s an absolute steal. VW has managed to extract a few more ponies every year from the 2.0 liter turbo 4. Direct fuel injection, twin overhead cams, and 16 valves help produce 230hp and 258lb.-ft. of torque. While 230hp may seem piddling in a world of 500hp muscle cars, that’s more than twice the horsepower of the original 1975 GTI. More importantly, each horsepower in the 2019 GTI only needs to propel 13.7 pounds of weight, because this VW weighs in at just 3,155lbs. That makes for a very lively power-to-weight ratio. And the motor’s wonderful exhaust makes you want to play the same intoxicating tune over and over. Unlike so many high performance cars, where engine output overwhelms all other considerations, the GTI’s Zenlike balance involves more than simple acceleration. The four wheel independent suspension, backed up by responsive and
Award Winner
sticky Bridgestone Potenza S001 tires (225/40R18), bobs and weaves like a boxer to insure you never lose adhesion. The diminutive flat bottom steering wheel commands directional changes instantly. There is no slop in the steering or suspension of the GTI. Even the most minute turn of the steering wheel puts the GTI exactly where you intended it to be. Capping off the driving experience is 4 mode adaptive chassis control. Chose the Sport setting for greatest handling precision. The capstone of the GTI formula is its 6-speed manual transmission. Yes, you can buy this VW with a dual clutch automated gearbox, but why would you want to dilute the fun by deferring to artificial intelligence when you can have all the decision making joy yourself? The dimpled golf ball controlling the shift mechanism slots from gate to gate with finely balanced ease. Clutch actuation
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is light and engagement is instant. If you slip the clutch at all, the drivetrain issues a skunklike odor of reprimand. So be precise in your footwork when driving a manual transmission GTI. VW has upgraded the GTI brakes this year, with ventilated discs front and rear, and red calipers peeking through the five bold spokes of each alloy rim. The brakes, like the clutch, are quite sensitive to pedal pressure. You quickly learn not to pitch your passenger through the windshield by insensitive brake application. Once you’ve mastered the engagement point, the brakes are spot-on terrific. Another asset missing from most cars these days is a reputable horn. The GTI’s stentorian dual tone blaster is a welcome addition to the performance portfolio. GTI comes with such an extensive list of attributes that we have room only to highlight a few of our favorites here. The black leather front seats are race-worthy supportive, well heated and handsomely stitched in contrasting red thread.
DIABLO MOTORS
The 8 inch wide touchscreen on the dash is particularly commendable for ease of use, especially when programming SiriusXM favorites and when selecting those favorites while on the go. About the only reservation we had in daily driving was the flimsy headlight beam stalk, which had to be prodded more than once to change from low to high beam. But the LED headlights of the adaptive front lighting system provided excellent black road illumination. VW also provides LED fog lights with low-speed cornering lights. So this petite daytime bomb carries its own torch at night too. 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0T Autobahn Engine: 2.0 liter inline 4, DOHC, 16 valves, Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharged Horsepower: 230hp Torque: 256lb.-ft. Fuel Consumption: 24MPG City/32MPG Highway Price as Tested: $36,890 Hypes: This Family Sedan Outperforms Most Sports Cars Gripes: Zero Star Rating: 10 Stars out of 10
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valleysentinel.com
January 2020
THE VALLEY SENTINEL
page 15
A Challenge for the Ages: Cleaner Contra Costa Seeks to Create a More Sustainable County The ultimate goal of this By Candace Andersen. Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
Contra Costa County residents take a great deal of pride in acting as stewards for their communities. At the forefront of progress, they know fostering a healthy and vibrant environment will only lead to more prosperity for our economy, natural resources, and citizens. Thanks to the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge, residents now have an easier way to help the environment and promote sustainability in a fun, cost-effective, and efficient way. The Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge is a unique approach toward a profound issue; it is also a competition that allows you to invite friends, form teams, and share successes to promote widespread action to reduce carbon emissions in the County.
In addition to forming teams, participants are encouraged to join communities to compete against one another and see who can compile the most points through sustainable actions that are tallied on a Leader Board. Getting started is easy. Create a household or work profile at cleanercontracosta. org, and enter information on current sustainable activities to track progress. A list of actions is available for browsing, and once completed, you can add them to your dashboard. Cleaner Contra Costa assists with next steps, your estimated costs, and questions. The Challenge also tracks your savings (both in dollars and emissions) and provides you with opportunities to interact with your neighbors and strengthen your community. Individuals can also post photos and write updates about their actions and progress. Pa r t i c i p a n t s a re a l s o given a wealth of knowledge and advice that inform them of the many ways they can
enact sustainable practices – both big and small – that detail just exactly how each action is beneficial for our environment. Big actions may include buying or leasing an electric car, reducing air travel, opting for green electricity, purchasing solar panels, installing an electric heating pump. However, not everyone is able to take such significant measures. The Challenge also provides several smaller actions that promote sustainability, whether it be adjusting one’s thermostat, recycling, opting for public transportation, cutting back on air conditioning, planting trees, and even taking shorter showers. The challenge even offers a list of actions pertaining specifically to this holiday season, urging participants that if air travel is necessary for your plans, to purchase carbon offsets to lower your impact, which is worth 3,000 points! Compost, worth 2,500 points is another tip, which is easy and inexpensive and most importantly, reduces the
amount of trash in landfills. Additionally, compost helps create rich fertilizer for your garden. “Reduce and reuse” (1,750 points), encourages participants to reflect before purchasing new products, given the resources, fuel, and energy used in their manufacturing. The Challenge recommends paying a visit t o a re a t h r i f t s t o re s t o conserve natural resources. And while the winter months b r i n g d ra s t i c a l l y c o l d e r temperatures, the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge would like residents to think twice before blasting one’s heater and to be “heat wise,” instead dropping the thermostat a few degrees cooler to make your home more insulated and energy efficient. Contra Costa County is dedicated to making our communities cleaner and healthier. This challenge allows residents to see just how easy it can be to conserve resources, cut energy costs, decrease reliance on certain fuels, and invest in local opportunities, all while saving money and most importantly, reducing your impact.
Challenge is to help future generations and conserve our natural resources while raising awareness and increasing participation from all families and individuals in Contra Costa County. To s e t u p a p ro f i l e, calculate your carbon footprint, track your individual and community’s progress, or to learn more about the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge, visit CleanerContraCosta.org. My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, Parkmead, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon, and Orinda. If you have any questions pertaining to the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge, or have any other issues or concerns, please contact my office at SupervisorAndersen@ bos.cccounty.us or 925-957-8860. It is an honor to serve as your Contra Costa County Supervisor.
315 Cortsen Road in Pleasant Hill • • • •
Heritage classes for children School field trips Sustainable gardening classes Displays of items from the Pleasant Hill Historical Society • Meetings and events Rodgers Ranch is a Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District property and Pleasant Hill’s only historic site. We are a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501c3 organization
Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center in Pleasant Hill is creating a brick pathway in front of our 150 year old farmhouse. Cement your place in history with an engraved brick to honor or remember family or loved ones, or highlight a business or organization.
Barn Wood for Sale Call Chris at (925) 890-4482
Information and an order form for the brick(s) can be found at
www.RodgersRanch.org
For more information please contact us at 925-937-3677 or visit www.rodgersranch.org
DANVILLE
1901 Camino Ramon 925-866-6164
YesY on Measure
CAMPBELL 930 West Hamilton Ave. 408-871-8890
SAN RAFAEL 75 Bellam 415-924-6691
More Open Space for Danville Families & Supported by the East Bay Regional Park District. Vote YES onY on March 3.
Did you know the East Bay Regional Park District will protect and manage the bulk of the open space at Magee Preserve? Here’s what that means for you:
New publicly accessible open space on what is currently privately-owned land. Expansion of the Sycamore Valley Open Space Regional Preserve, protected from development forever. 3.5 miles of new public trails within the Town’s trail network. YESonOpenSpace.com Unanimously Approved by the Danville Town Council and Strongly Supported by:
SAN CARLOS 1123 Industrial Road 650-508-8317
EAST BAY Regional Park District Ad paid for by Yes on Y, a Coalition of Danville Environmental and Community Leaders; Committee major funding from Davidon Homes